And Ukip leader Henry Bolton wrote: “So there it is. Brussels sees #Brexit in terms of a contest not cooperation. #UKIP #OutNow”

Also in today’s speech Mr Tusk hit out at Britain for rejecting the “sacrifices” he had offered when David Cameron was prime minister.

The EU president said: “For many months I was building agreement among the 27 in order to give PM Cameron arguments to stay in the EU, even though this meant that each of the 27 had to make a sacrifice.

“Unfortunately this was not enough for the Brits. After Brexit I worked towards creating the unity of the 27 in the negotiations with the UK. We have shown that no one can divide the 27 in these negotiations.”